Mitsubishi’s light commercial vehicle has been around for 40 years, stretching across five generations during which it also spawned some Chrysler and Dodge versions. The current one was launched in 2014, and now it’s getting a mid-cycle refresh to remain competitive in the hugely challenging one-ton pickup truck segment.

As you can easily see in the adjacent official images, this is more than just your typical facelift. Those radically styled Mitsu concepts we’ve been seeing in recent years have rubbed off on the L200 / Triton as the Japanese workhorse is getting an extreme facelift. The controversial front fascia embodying what the automaker refers to as the “Dynamic Shield” theme will remind you of the Eclipse Cross, although we believe it suits the crossover a little bit better.

The revisions go well beyond the new face as the pickup truck also features redesigned extended wheel flares – a change we rarely see on a facelifted model. At the back, traditionalist will appreciate the normal look of the L200, now with updated taillights and a modified bumper.

Gallery: 2019 Mitsubishi L200 / Triton

Design aside, the 2019 version adds a new off-road mode with Gravel, Mud/Snow, Sand, and Rock settings. Turn it on and it’ll handle the engine’s power, transmission, and braking to control the amount of wheel slip to boost traction on difficult terrains. The Hill Descent Control system will also come in handy by electronically controlling the vehicle’s speed while tackling slippery and/or steep descents.

The updated L200 / Triton is available with an assortment of safety features, ranging from a Forward Collision Mitigation system able to detect cars and people up ahead to something called Ultrasonic Misacceleration Mitigation. The latter was developed to reduce the risks of accidents caused by the improper use of the accelerator pedal when entering or exiting confined spaces. Blind spot warning is also available, as is Rear Cross Traffic Alert helping you avoid collisions when reversing.

Mitsubishi is being rather on details about the oily bits, but it does say the five-speed automatic transmission has been replaced by a six-speed unit offering the best of both worlds: better performance and improved refinement. In addition, there are bigger front brake discs and calipers for more braking power, along with enlarged rear dampers to increase ride quality.

Unveiled today in Bangkok, the 2019 Mitsubishi L200 / Triton will go on sale in Thailand on November 17 and will eventually reach more than 150 countries from all over the world.

Source: Mitsubishi

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World Debut of the New TRITON/L200
Start of sales in Thailand November 17 to Rollout to 150 Countries

Bangkok, November 9, 2018 – Mitsubishi Motors Corporation(MMC) today announces the world premiere of the new TRITON/L200 1-ton pickup truck in Bangkok, and is to start sales in Thailand on November 17.
 
The New TRITON/L200 is the latest version of a model which is celebrating its 40th birthday this year, and is produced at the Laem Chabang Plant operated by Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand) Co. Ltd. (MMTh), MMC's producer and distributor in Thailand.
 
The vehicle is a global strategic model which, following its Thai launch, will be launched in the in other ASEAN markets as well as Oceania, the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Latin America. Eventually it will be sold in some 150 countries around the globe.
On the occasion of the world premiere, Mitsubishi Motors CEO Osamu Masuko stated: "The New TRITON/L200 is one of our most important global strategic models. Its success will accelerate the momentum of the company's sustainable growth.. The new model brings enhancements to the durability, reliability and comfort developed over the 40 years since the introduction of the series.
"I am fully confident the New TRITON/L200 will meet the diverse needs and wishes of our customers around the world."
 
Overview
The New TRITON/L200 has been developed to embody the Engineered Beyond Tough keyphrase which underlined its creation. Elements making it significantly more competitive include: more powerful styling that incorporates the latest iteration of the Dynamic Shield front design concept; an enhanced 4WD system that delivers improved off-road performance, and the latest in active safety and driver assistance systems. Overall, the new model features significant refinements to the durability and reliability required by the commercial user and to the comfort and ride sought by the private user.
 
1. Powerful "Engineered Beyond Tough" Design
The New TRITON/L200 a revitalized design under the concept "Rock Solid" that embodies, both inside and out, the full essence of its "Engineered Beyond Tough" development keyphrase - a toughness fully underpinned by engineering prowess and knowhow.
Front view
The front face incorporates the new-generation "Dynamic Shield" front design concept. The high engine hood line and beefier-looking lamps located higher up give the new model a more powerful and imposing front face.
Side & rear view
Newly sculpted body curves with contrasting sharp lines, extended wheel flares and bright accents embody the strength of a Mitsubishi Motors' truck and add modernity. The lighting and bumper parts become part of the tough design, framing the front and rear designs and adding visual width.
Interior
The restyled inside of the Triton expresses modern a modern and robust feeling with frame surroundings for the switch panel and air outlets. A high quality look is created by soft pad materials and stitching on the floor console, armrests and parking brake.
 
2. 4WD System Gives Enhanced All-terrain Performance
New TRITON/L200 4WD models are fitted with either Super-Select 4WD, which delivers optimum traction and handling characteristics for any given surface, or Easy-Select 4WD, which simplifies switching between drive modes for different road surfaces. With the addition of new drive modes, both 4WD systems deliver improved off-road performance.
New Off-road Mode
Both Super-Select and Easy-Select 4WD systems use a new Off-road Mode which has GRAVEL, MUD/SNOW, SAND and ROCK (in 4LLc only) settings. When engaged, Off-road Mode integrally controls engine power, transmission and braking to regulate the amount of wheel slip and thereby maximize all-terrain performance and self-extraction performance in mud or snow.
Hill Descent Control
Vehicle speed is electronically controlled to allow the driver to negotiate steep or slippery descents more safely and with more assurance.
 
3. Active Safety / Driver Assistance Systems
New TRITON/L200 retains the current model's high-durability, high-reliability ladder-type frame and high impact-safety cabin structure while featuring class-leading advanced active safety and driver assistance systems.
Systems providing all-direction safety and reassurance are:
  • Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM), which can detect vehicles and pedestrians ahead;
  • Blind Spot Warning (BSW with LCA), which helps avoid sideswiping another vehicle when changing lanes by detecting vehicles behind or at the rear quarter and alerting the driver with an audible alert and flashing light in their door mirror;
  • Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) which, in the same way, helps avoid collisions when reversing;
  • Ultrasonic Misacceleration Mitigation System (UMS) which reduces accidents resulting from improper use of the accelerator when moving off or reversing in car parks and other confined spaces.
Providing convenient driver assistance are the Multi Around Monitor, which generates a bird's eye view image of the area around the vehicle, and Parking Sensors.
 
4. Pickup Truck Performance & Functionality
The New TRITON/L200 features many detail improvements, directed by the Engineered Beyond Tough development keyphrase, to the durability and reliability sought in commercial use and to the comfort and ride sought in private use.
Braking performance and feel are improved with the use of larger front discs and caliper pistons;
Ride is improved with the use of larger rear dampers which contain more damping oil;
Changing to a 6-speed A/T from the current 5-speed A/T to allow smoother, more powerful acceleration and improved refinement.
 
Roll-out Plans
Following its start of sales in Thailand on November 17th, the New TRITON/L200 is scheduled to be rolled out sequentially in the company's markets in ASEAN, Oceania, the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Latin America, eventually going on sale in some 150 countries around the globe.
MMC plans to sell some 180,000 units of the new and current models this fiscal year. TRITON/L200 is a core global strategic model and is MMC's second biggest seller, following Mid-size SUV Outlander in the MMC lineup last fiscal year.

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